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Winemaker's Notes:

Vintage: Late! Cool! Long! These three words describe how the 1998 vintage progressed. Intensity! Depth! Quality! These words describe the results of the 1998 vintage. Patience in the winery was a necessity for all winemakers this vintage. Grapes normally harvested in mid-August were harvested mid-September. Our Cabernet, usually harvested late (end of October) in “normal” years, finished on November 16th. Our last press day was November 23rd, three days before Thanksgiving! I’m just happy we finished the ’98 harvest in the ’98 calendar year…Fortunately, gorgeous warm, dry weather dominated the entire month of October and early November, allowing the grapes to attain true ripeness and outrageous flavors and colors. It was a long year both in terms of time and quality.
Vineyards: The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes that make up our Reserve Cabernet blend are grown on our two Estate vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown exclusively at our Oakcross Vineyard in Oakville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. The Oakville District is renown for its Cabernet and produces wines that are full, lush and very elegant. The Merlot is grown at both our Oakcross and Hillview Vineyards. The Merlot from these vineyards adds a wonderful earthy firmness to our Cabernets from the Oakville area.
Harvest:
Sugar: 23.3 Brix
Acid: 0.49 g/100ml
pH: 3.87
Pick Dates: 11/4 to 11/9/98
Fermentation and Aging: After selective picking in the vineyard and intense hand sorting at the crusher, fermentation was carried out over a seven day period in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at an average temperature of 85 F. After pressing and settling, both the Cabernet and Merlot were transferred to new French Nevers oak barrels for aging. The sweet vanilla character derived from 24 months in the barrels blends well with the black cherry and blackberry flavors and aromas of the wine. Blending with the Merlot occurs just prior to bottling.
Finished Wine:
Bottling Date: February 2001
Size: 750ml, 1.5L, 3.0L, 6.0L bottles
100% Napa Valley
100% Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled
86% Cabernet, Oakcross Vyd.
14% Merlot Oakcross & 8% Hillview Vineyards
Total Acidity: 0.58 g/100ml
Alcohol: 13.9%% by volume
Winemaker Notes: Our Reserve Cabernet is distinguished from our Estate Cabernet at the very beginning in the vineyard. Selected portions of our Oakcross Vineyard are allowed further ripening time in order to intensify the rich cherry/berry characters that define our vineyard site. Further selection in the vineyard and at the winery result in distinctive notes of plum, black cherry, vanilla and spice are apparent in the extraordinary aroma and flavor profile of this Reserve vintage. A firm yet supple tannin backbone promises exceptional development and complexity from extended bottle aging.
Menu Suggestions: The intense black cherry flavors of the 1998 Cabernet Reserve will go beautifully with any red meat. The fat content in lamb, beef, sausages, and even buffalo, will help to control the tannin in a very young wine. Pasta with red sauce, pizza and burgers are all enhanced by the spicy aromas and good balance of fruit and oak flavors.

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Groth Vineyards & Winery:
Groth Vineyards is located in the Oakville Appellation in Napa Valley. Browse our site to learn more about our winery, and wines. You can schedule a tour & tasting, join our wine club, and buy wine directly through our Web site. We are looking forward to sharing our exceptional wines and hosting you at our estate winery.

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Vintage: Late! Cool! Long! These three words describe how the 1998 vintage progressed. Intensity! Depth! Quality! These words describe the results of the 1998 vintage. Patience in the winery was a necessity for all winemakers this vintage. Grapes normally harvested in mid-August were harvested mid-September. Our Cabernet, usually harvested late (end of October) in “normal” years, finished on November 16th. Our last press day was November 23rd, three days before Thanksgiving! I’m just happy we finished the ’98 harvest in the ’98 calendar year…Fortunately, gorgeous warm, dry weather dominated the entire month of October and early November, allowing the grapes to attain true ripeness and outrageous flavors and colors. It was a long year both in terms of time and quality.
Vineyards: The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes that make up our Reserve Cabernet blend are grown on our two Estate vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon is grown exclusively at our Oakcross Vineyard in Oakville, in the heart of the Napa Valley. The Oakville District is renown for its Cabernet and produces wines that are full, lush and very elegant. The Merlot is grown at both our Oakcross and Hillview Vineyards. The Merlot from these vineyards adds a wonderful earthy firmness to our Cabernets from the Oakville area.
Harvest:
Sugar: 23.3 Brix
Acid: 0.49 g/100ml
pH: 3.87
Pick Dates: 11/4 to 11/9/98
Fermentation and Aging: After selective picking in the vineyard and intense hand sorting at the crusher, fermentation was carried out over a seven day period in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at an average temperature of 85 F. After pressing and settling, both the Cabernet and Merlot were transferred to new French Nevers oak barrels for aging. The sweet vanilla character derived from 24 months in the barrels blends well with the black cherry and blackberry flavors and aromas of the wine. Blending with the Merlot occurs just prior to bottling.
Finished Wine:
Bottling Date: February 2001
Size: 750ml, 1.5L, 3.0L, 6.0L bottles
100% Napa Valley
100% Estate Grown, Produced and Bottled
86% Cabernet, Oakcross Vyd.
14% Merlot Oakcross & 8% Hillview Vineyards
Total Acidity: 0.58 g/100ml
Alcohol: 13.9%% by volume
Winemaker Notes: Our Reserve Cabernet is distinguished from our Estate Cabernet at the very beginning in the vineyard. Selected portions of our Oakcross Vineyard are allowed further ripening time in order to intensify the rich cherry/berry characters that define our vineyard site. Further selection in the vineyard and at the winery result in distinctive notes of plum, black cherry, vanilla and spice are apparent in the extraordinary aroma and flavor profile of this Reserve vintage. A firm yet supple tannin backbone promises exceptional development and complexity from extended bottle aging.
Menu Suggestions: The intense black cherry flavors of the 1998 Cabernet Reserve will go beautifully with any red meat. The fat content in lamb, beef, sausages, and even buffalo, will help to control the tannin in a very young wine. Pasta with red sauce, pizza and burgers are all enhanced by the spicy aromas and good balance of fruit and oak flavors.